31 Envy H7065 thou not the oppressor, H376 H2555 and choose H977 none of his ways. H1870
Rest H1826 in the LORD, H3068 and wait patiently H2342 for him: fret H2734 not thyself because of him who prospereth H6743 in his way, H1870 because of the man H376 who bringeth H6213 wicked devices H4209 to pass. H6213 Cease H7503 from anger, H639 and forsake H5800 wrath: H2534 fret H2734 not thyself in any wise H389 to do evil. H7489 For evildoers H7489 shall be cut off: H3772 but those that wait H6960 upon the LORD, H3068 they shall inherit H3423 the earth. H776
My son, H1121 walk H3212 not thou in the way H1870 with them; refrain H4513 thy foot H7272 from their path: H5410 For their feet H7272 run H7323 to evil, H7451 and make haste H4116 to shed H8210 blood. H1818 Surely in vain H2600 the net H7568 is spread H2219 in the sight H5869 of any bird. H1167 H3671 And they lay wait H693 for their own blood; H1818 they lurk privily H6845 for their own lives. H5315
To deliver H5337 thee from the way H1870 of the evil H7451 man, from the man H376 that speaketh H1696 froward things; H8419 Who leave H5800 the paths H734 of uprightness, H3476 to walk H3212 in the ways H1870 of darkness; H2822 Who rejoice H8056 to do H6213 evil, H7451 and delight H1523 in the frowardness H8419 of the wicked; H7451 Whose ways H734 are crooked, H6141 and they froward H3868 in their paths: H4570
Rob H1497 not the poor, H1800 because he is poor: H1800 neither oppress H1792 the afflicted H6041 in the gate: H8179 For the LORD H3068 will plead H7378 their cause, H7379 and spoil H6906 the soul H5315 of those that spoiled H6906 them. Make no friendship H7462 with an angry H639 man; H1167 and with a furious H2534 man H376 thou shalt not go: H935 Lest thou learn H502 his ways, H734 and get H3947 a snare H4170 to thy soul. H5315
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 3
Commentary on Proverbs 3 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 3
Pr 3:1-35. The study of truth commended. God must be feared, honored, and trusted, and filial submission, under chastisement, exhibited. The excellence of wisdom urged and illustrated by its place in the divine counsels. Piety enforced by a contrast of the destiny of the righteous and the wicked.
1. law [and] commandments—all divine instructions (see on Ps 119:1 and Ps 119:4).
let thine heart keep—or sincerely observe (Pr 4:13; 5:2).
2. length … life—often promised as blessings (Ps 21:4; 91:16).
peace—includes prosperity (Ps 125:5).
add—abound to thee.
3. mercy and truth—God's faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms (Ps 25:10; 57:3). As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Pr 16:6; 20:28).
bind … write … heart—outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.
4. favour—grace, amiability (Pr 22:11; Ps 45:2); united with this,
a good understanding—(Compare Margin), a discrimination, which secures success.
in the sight … man—such as God and man approve.
5. Trust … heart—This is the center and marrow of true wisdom (Pr 22:19; 28:25). The positive duty has its corresponding negation in the admonition against self-confidence.
6. ways—(Ps 1:1).
acknowledge—by seeking His wise aid (Pr 16:3; Ps 37:5; Jer 9:23, 24).
direct—literally, "make plain" (compare Heb 12:13).
7. (Compare Pr 27:2; Ro 12:16).
fear … evil—reverentially regarding His law.
8. It—This conduct.
health—(Compare Margin).
to thy navel—for all the organs of nourishment.
marrow—(Compare Margin).
bones—frame of body. True piety promotes bodily health.
9, 10. (Compare Pr 11:25; Ex 23:19; De 18:4; Isa 32:8; 2Co 9:13).
10. presses—or wine fats (Joe 2:24; 3:13).
11, 12. The true intent of afflictions considered; they do not contradict the assertion of the blessed state of the pious (Job 5:17; Heb 12:5, 6).
12. he delighteth—or receiveth as denoting reconciliation regarding the offense which produced chastisement.
13. findeth—literally, "reaches," or "obtains by seeking."
getteth—literally, "draws out," as metals by digging.
14, 15. The figure of Pr 3:13 carried out.
it—that is, wisdom.
merchandise of silver—acquisition by trading.
fine gold—dug gold, solid as a nugget.
15. rubies—gems, or pearls.
16, 17. Wisdom personified as bringing the best blessings (compare Mt 6:33; 1Ti 4:8).
17. Her ways—such as she directs us to take.
18. Wisdom allegorized as
a tree of life—(Ge 2:9; 3:22) whose fruit preserves life, gives all that makes living a blessing.
19, 20. The place of wisdom in the economy of creation and providence commends it to men, who, in proportion to their finite powers, may possess this invaluable attribute, and are thus encouraged by the divine example of its use to seek its possession.
21. sound wisdom—(compare Pr 2:7).
let … eyes—that is, these words of instruction.
22-24. assign reasons in their value for happiness and ornament, guidance and support in dangers, both when waking and sleeping.
25. Be not—or, "You shall not be."
sudden fear—what causes it (Pr 1:27), any unlooked-for evil (Ps 46:3; 91:12; 1Pe 3:14).
desolation—(Pr 1:27).
26. The reason; such as are objects of God's favor.
be thy confidence—literally, "in thy confidence," in the source of thy strength (compare Na 3:9, for the same construction, Hebrew).
27, 28. Promptly fulfil all obligations both of justice and charity (compare Jas 2:15, 16).
29, 30. Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.
31. oppressor—or man of mischief. The destiny of successful evildoers warns against desiring their lot (Ps 37:1, 2, 35, 36).
32-35. Reasons for the warning.
froward—(Pr 2:15).
secret … righteous—in their communion (Am 3:7).
33. curse … wicked—It abides with them, and will be manifested.
34. The retribution of sinners, as in Ps 18:26.
35. inherit—as a portion.
shame—or disgrace, as opposed to honor.
promotion—(Compare Margin); as honor for well-doing makes men conspicuous, so fools are signalized by disgrace.